Nonhazardous
What it means
Not posing a danger under expected conditions.
Reach for it when classifying material or activity as outside a specified hazard category
Staff separated the nonhazardous materials for routine recycling.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional |
|
| formal | |
| literary |
-
everyday
non-dangerous
Fits when plain language should deny a particular danger
Careful The phrase needs the danger and conditions named.
-
everyday
Fits when ordinary use presents acceptably low risk
Careful A nonhazardous classification does not mean universally safe.
-
professional
Fits when some risk remains but is comparatively small
Careful Low risk does not confer a regulatory classification.
-
professional
unregulated
Fits when the material falls outside a named rule
Careful Unregulated never proves harmlessness.
-
formal
Fits when the likely effect is mild or harmless
Careful Benign can understate disposal or exposure concerns.
-
literary
Fits when an apparently harmless quality is being described
Careful Innocuous is impressionistic rather than technical.
Opposites 3
- hazardous
- dangerous
- toxic
Common phrases 3
-
nonhazardous waste
The lab separated nonhazardous waste from solvent containers.
-
classified as nonhazardous
Testing classified the dry material as nonhazardous for transport.
-
nonhazardous material
Each nonhazardous material still received a disposal label.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Nonhazardous is always classification- and jurisdiction-specific; it does not remove ordinary handling or disposal duties.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated